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The experience of camping has changed enormously in recent years. Gone are the days when vacationing in a tent meant roughing it; now luxury camps offer travelers the same opulent amenities they’d find at high-end hotels (like ensuite spa tubs, high-thread-count bed linens, and even air conditioning). But they also provide something brick-and-mortar lodgings can’t: full immersion in some of the world’s most extraordinary natural landscapes. Welcome to the world of glamorous camping.

Courtesy Galapagos Safari

Galapagos Safari Camp, Galapagos, Ecuador

The extraordinary natural sanctuary of the Galapagos—which Charles Darwin once called “a little world within itself”—surrounds this unique safari camp. Nine tents are set in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, on a 136-acre plot bordering a preserve, where giant land tortoises roam freely. Each 400-square-foot platform tent is made of a special three-ply canvas, to protect against unpredictable weather, and has wooden floors and beds, an ensuite shower, and a terrace with a hammock. There’s an expansive common lodge with a fireplace, library, and dining area for group meals; an infinity pool is fringed by palo santo and guayabillo trees. You may be tempted to linger here, but guided treks along volcanic beaches, snorkeling with marine iguanas, and penguin, sea turtle, and sea lion spotting are all just minutes away. From $1,640 for two nights; Finca Palo Santo, Barrio Salasaca; 1-805/995-4093; galapagossafaricamp.com. —Sarah Gold

Courtesy Canonici

Canonici di San Marco, Mirano, Italy

A tented camp just outside Venice? Naturalmente! In fact, these four opulently outfitted “suites” and “lodges” can feel like a welcome sanctuary after a long day of sightseeing among the canals. Set in the peaceful town of Mirano, just eight miles from the Piazza di San Marco, the spacious platform tents sit amid four acres of wheat fields and landscaped gardens and are furnished with elegant antique sofas (lovely for lounging in with a glass of Prosecco), showers, and four-poster, tulle-netted beds. In the morning, guests can take their coffee and Venetian pastries on the common open-air dining porch before heading out for a day’s adventure. The property is equidistant from Venice and Padua and close to boat cruises on the Riviera del Brenta that showcase the area’s Palladian mansions. From $140; Via Accoppè Fratte, 14; 39-340/751-3727;glampingcanonici.com. —SG

Pieter de Liagre Böhl / Courtesy Pinnacle Camp

Pinnacle Camp, Greenough, Montana

With miles of pristine north-country wilderness just outside your canvas door—including the rushing waters of Elk Creek and the Blackfoot River, and the pine and aspen forests, where elk and whitetail deer roam—its easy to forget that you’re not completely on your own at Pinnacle Camp. The camp’s six roomy tents, some of which are more than 1,000 square feet, are part of opulent ranch The Resort at Paws Up, a 37,000-acre spread that includes a working cattle ranch, horse stables, and hundreds of miles of wooded trails for hiking, riding, and scouting a private fly-fishing spot. Tucked away in your own gorgeously appointed accommodations (complete with their own jetted spa tubs, heated-slate bathroom floors, daily housekeeping service, and a dedicated camp butler), you can choose how much you interact with the rest of civilization—or not. Pinnacle Camp tents, from $540 per person, per night; 40060 Paws Up Rd.; 866-915-5122; pawsup.com. —SG

Courtesy 4 Rivers Lodge

4 Rivers Floating Lodge, Tatai, Cambodia

Over-water bungalows aren’t strictly the domain of French Polynesian resorts, as proven by these 12 graceful “tent villas” suspended on floating docks atop Cambodia’s green Tatai River. The property, set in the thickly forested Koh Kong region, south of the Thai border, is home to hundreds of mammal and bird species, including endangered clouded leopards, great hornbills, and Malaysian sun bears. Though sightings of these are rare, you’ll almost certainly hear the hooting of gibbons at sunrise from your cushy woven water-hyacinth bed, encounter myriad butterflies and lizards on guided jungle treks, or spot jumping fish as you kayak down the river. Your tent’s flat-screen TV will seem like an afterthought. From $220; Koh Andet Island, Tatai; 85-59/7643-4032; ecolodges.asia.

Courtesy Eco Pod Retreat

Eco Pod Retreat, Appin, Scotland

The Scottish west-coast environs may be wild and woolly, but there’s nothing rustic about these two geodesic domes, set on a 20-acre wooded escarpment just outside the seaside village of Appin. Each 750-square-foot, PVC-and-steel pod resembles a Martian space probe that’s hurtled to earth; inside, the midcentury modern furnishings include Ligne Roset sofas, Eames recliners, modular kitchenettes, cedar soaking tubs, and high-efficiency wood pellet biomass stoves for heating. The property overlooks Loch Linnhe and the Kingairloch coastline—including one of the most photographed landmarks in Scotland, Castle Stalker. You can explore Appin and the nearby town of Oban, sign up for a guided photography trek, or take one of the daily ferries to surrounding islands—which include Mull, Iona, Staff, Coll, and Colonsay. From $645, for three nights; Lettershuna; 44-77/2540-9003; domesweetdome.co.uk. —SG

Courtesy Al Maha

Al Maha, Dubai, UAE

If you’ve dreamed of a Lawrence-of-Arabia style getaway—but with all the creature comforts of a resort—this lavish Bedouin-style encampment set in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve delivers. Though it’s just 50 miles from the glittering metropolis of central Dubai, the preserve’s 87 square miles of rippling golden dunes, populated by Arabian gazelles, oryx, sand foxes, and caracals (desert wildcats), feel a world away from civilization. By day, you can explore with camel treks, horseback rides, wildlife-spotting drives, and desert picnics; by night, indulge in fine meals and libations at the terrace restaurant, check in to the spa for a Balinese massage or mineral-mud body wrap, or just unwind in your sybaritic, climate-controlled tent with its Omani carved-wood doors, king-size four-poster bed, walk-in shower, and wraparound deck with private pool. From $790; Dubai-Al Ain Rd., Exit 50; 971-4/832-9900; al-maha.com. —SG

Courtesy Sher Bagh

Sher Bagh, Rajasthan, India

Ranthambore National Park, a 150-square-mile swath of protected wilderness in southeastern Rajasthan, is India’s prime destination for spotting rare Bengal tigers. It was also once the private hunting ground of maharajahs, so it’s no surprise that you can still camp here in splendor fit for royalty. This compound of 12 elegantly furnished tents, set amid a private grove of mango and peepal trees just outside the park, is one of the only Relais & Chateaux tented properties in the world; after a day of game drives (spotting leopards, langurs, and sloth bears as well as tigers), relax in your airy safari-style tent outfitted with Edwardian teak and rosewood furniture, luxuriate in your private stone shower enclosure, enjoy a cocktail on your shaded deck, or even kick back with air conditioning on. From $622; Ranthambhore Rd.; 91-74/6225-2120; sujanluxury.com. —SG

Courtesy Golden Triangle

Four Seasons Golden Triangle Tented Camp, Chang Rai, Thailand

The remote and mountainous bamboo forests of the Golden Triangle—the Mekong River valley region where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar all intersect—have been home to wild elephants for centuries. Now, though the magnificent creatures are threatened, you can still have close encounters with them when you stay at this plush tented camp, whose 15 deluxe, elevated tents all have hardwood floors, outdoor rain showers, and decks with river views (a few even have outdoor hot tubs). The camp has a partnership with a local sanctuary that protects and rehabilitates elephants—which means guests have special access to visit with the resident animals on the camp’s premises, learn about them, and walk with them on jungle treks. From $2,390 (all-inclusive per person, per night); 66-53/910-200; fourseasons.com. —SG

Courtesy Longitude

Longtitude 131˚, Northern Territory, Australia

Uluru, the massive stone monolith that rises from the vast red center of the Australian outback, is perhaps the country’s most arresting and iconic natural formation. It’s also a significant sacred Aboriginal site—which means the territory around it (nearly 500 square miles) has been designated a national park. Only a small handful of options exist for staying close to the reserve—but this ultra-luxe tented camp is one of them. Each of the 16 expansive glass-fronted, pavilion-topped tents here has not only every hotel-style comfort you could want (including Wifi, a music system, a bed clad in organic linens, and a minibar); it also has a private terrace with daybed and uninterrupted views over the rock and surrounding desert. By day, you can trek around Uluru, explore the nearby rock formations of Kata Tjuta, and learn about the area’s Aboriginal legends. At night, you’ll see stars so profuse you’ll feel you’re in an illuminated, overturned bowl. From $995; Yulara Dr.; 61-2/9918-4355;longitude131.com.au. —SG

Courtesy Clayoquot

Clayoquot Wilderness Retreat, Tofino, British Columbia

Even if they were set in a high-traffic zone, the 25 raised platform tents at this camp—accessed by cedar boardwalks, and furnished with king-size beds, Persian rugs, gas-fired woodstoves, and double-shower baths with heated floors—would feel luxurious. But the fact that they occupy a verdant slope overlooking Clayoquot Sound, a remote and pristine coastal UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, makes them infinitely more special. The 1,000-square-mile preserve offers spectacular environs for sea kayaking, rafting, and spying grey, humpback, and orca whales; along its river estuaries and thick lowland rainforests, black bears are also commonly seen. Back at camp, you can cap off your day in the wild with a civilized whiskey in the burnished-leather tented lounge. From $3,700 for three nights; 1 Clayoquot; 888-333-540; wildretreat.com. —SG

Courtesy Hoshino Resorts

Hoshinoya Fuji, Japan

At 12,388 feet—the world’s 35th-highest peak—Mount Fuji looks daunting. But it’s easy and close enough to Tokyo that more than 300,000 people hike it yearly, usually from July to September. We came during off-season for trekking, which is why we opted to stay at the year-old Hoshinoya Fuji(rooms from $500; 1408 Oishi, Fujikawagu-chiko-machi; hoshinoyafuji.com). Here, at Japan’s first luxe glamping resort, the mountain serves as an unspoiled backdrop. Its 40 cabins are trapezoidal pods with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Lake Kawaguchi, one of the Fuji Five Lakes at the mountain’s base.

Handed a tote bag with a bird caller, binoculars, and a flashlight upon arrival, we set off into the Aokigahara red pine forest; the resort encourages do-it-yourself exploration. There are also organized activities, such as horseback riding, canoeing, and hiking. (We liked learning how to smoke snacks such as nuts, tofu, and salmon over a grill.) Everyone chops wood for the fire pit, and for dinner we used a Dutch oven to make our own meal alongside a chef. There’s still some climbing involved: From the Cloud Terrace, where dining and activities take place, to the farthest sleeping pod, it’s a good hike up 350 or so steps.

Courtesy Ecocamp Patagonia

EcoCamp Patagonia, Torres Del Paine National Park, Chile

There are few better ways to experience Patagonia’s rugged beauty than at EcoCamp Patagonia, perched atop a hillside in the heart of Torres Del Paine National Park. The camp offers a range of tented dome accommodations (Standard, Superior, Suite, and Suite Loft), but all 33 feature a large bed, furniture made from sustainably sourced local wood, decor made by local artisans, and a skylight ideal for stargazing. (The Suite and Suite Loft domes have private bathrooms, a wood-burning furnace, and a personal patio.) The camp offers daily morning yoga classes (private lessons are also on offer) and a variety of daily (as well as multi-day) guided treks so guests can explore the park’s glacial lakes, snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, and wildlife. Rates, from $1,100; Puerto Natales, Natales, Región de Magallanes y de la Antártica Chilena; 56-2/2923-5950; ecocamp.travel. —Avery Stone

Stevie Mann / Courtesy andBeyond

andBeyond’s Chobe Under Canvas, Botswana

This tented camp is located in the northern part of Chobe National Park, and within driving distance of the Chobe River. After a boat cruise on the river, or a morning or afternoon game drive—the area boasts a high concentration of elephants, buffalo, and hippopotamus, plus crocodiles, lions, fish eagles, water monitors, and black-backed jackals—guests can return home to one of the camp’s five rustic-luxe tents. Each has an ensuite bathroom with a flush toilet and bucket shower. In the evenings, they can take advantage of al fresco dining and sip wines, spirits, or beer under the stars. High-season rates (July—October 31), from $850 per person per night; Ngoma Gate, Chobe National Park, Botswana; 27-11/809-4300; andbeyond.com. —AS

Courtesy Dunton River Camp

Dunton River Camp, Colorado

Located in the southwestern part of the state within the San Juan Nation Forest, this luxury camp sits just under 9,000-feet in elevation. Its eight two-person tents feature ensuite bathrooms with six-foot soaking tubs and showers (plus double vanities and towel warmers). Each tent also comes with two mountain bikes for guests to use throughout their stay and a host of daily guided group activities, including horseback riding, hiking, fly-fishing, and tours of its sister vineyard, Sutcliffe Vineyards (located about an hour and 15 minutes away by car), are built into the nightly rate; private guided activities can be arranged for an additional cost. Guests can also relax and refresh in an onsite sauna custom-built for the camp. Rates, from $1,500 (double occupancy); San Juan National Forest, Dolores; 877-288-9922; duntonrivercamp.com. —AS

Courtesy Collective Retreats

Collective Retreats, Various Locations

What happens when you mix St. Regis standards with a Tough Mudder mentality? “It’s the recipe for a transformational trip,” says Peter Mack, founder of Collective Retreats, a travel company that debuted in May with pop-up camps in Colorado and Montana. Mack, a ten-year Starwood veteran and a former vice president of innovation for Tough Mudder’s obstacle courses, spent two years testing his concept and scouting remote locations accessible to major cities. The Vail property sits on a thousand acres of working ranch land; the Yellowstone retreat is an hour from the park, between prime fly-fishing rivers. The 5 to 15 canvas tents at each site have bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and electricity.

But Mack insists: “This isn’t glamping 2.0.” The rural pursuits are legit. In Colorado, guests can join a ranch family on a cattle roundup or fish the Gallatin River with head chef William Howell, who prepares the day’s catch as part of a fireside meal. This year will bring retreats in Sonoma, New York’s Hudson Valley, and the Texas Hill Country, and Mack envisions camps in places like the Hawaiian island of Kauai and Moab, Utah. From $400 per night; collectiveretreats.com. —Jen Murphy